What is the Difference Between a Prefabricated House and a Steel House?
In recent years, rising housing costs and the search for sustainable construction have led to the prominence of different building technologies. Prefabricated houses and steel houses are the two strongest players in this trend.
So what are the differences between these two building systems? In this article, we will examine in detail the differences, advantages and conditions under which prefabricated and steel houses should be preferred.
What is a Prefabricated House?
Prefabricated houses are housing types that are produced piece by piece in factories (modular production) and transported to the assembly site and installed in a short time. They mostly have galvanized steel skeleton and sandwich panel wall system.
Advantages:
✅ Fast production and assembly
✅ Low cost
✅ Portability and flexibility
Environmentally friendly production process
What is a Steel House?
Steel houses are structures built entirely with steel construction (heavy steel or light galvanized steel). Wall and facade claddings are applied on the steel frame. It offers high strength and long life expectancy.
Advantages:
Very high durability
Superior performance against earthquake and fire
✅ Long life (50-100 years)
✅ Architectural flexibility
Prefabricated House vs Steel House
| Feature | Prefabricated House | Steel House |
|---|---|---|
| Building System | Light steel + panel system | Full steel frame + cladding |
| Construction Period | 1-3 months | 3-6 months |
| Price | More economical | %30-50 daha pahalı |
| Resilience | Adequate (30-40 years) | Very high (50-100 years) |
| Earthquake Performance | High | Very high |
| Insulation | Standard | More advanced applicable |
| Design Flexibility | Middle | High |
| Portability | There is | Usually fixed |
Which is Suitable for Which Need?
Prefabricated House Preferable Situations:
✅ Those with rapid housing needs
✅ Those looking for a budget-friendly solution
✅ For summer / short term use
✅ Those who want a portable or modular structure
Situations to Prefer Steel House:
✅ Those who want long-lasting and permanent housing
✅ People living in areas with high earthquake risk
✅ Those who want more original design in architecture
✅ Those looking for maximum resistance to fire and external factors
Price Comparison (2025)
- Prefabricated house m2 price: TL 12.000 - TL 25.000
- Steel house m2 price: TL 15.000 - TL 40.000
Earthquake and Fire Resistance
Steel houses show much higher earthquake and fire resistance than prefabricated houses, thanks to the natural advantage of the steel load-bearing frame. Therefore, steel houses are preferred in high-risk areas.
Conclusion Which structure is right for you?
The differences between prefabricated houses and steel houses should be evaluated entirely according to needs and expectations:
✅ For those who want to own a house in a short time and are looking for an economical solution prefabricated house is an ideal choice.
✅ For those who want a long-lasting and earthquake-resistant building with a higher budget steel house is more appropriate.
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